A Relational Research on Mental Toughness and Track Performance

Abstract

Aim: The research was carried out to reveal the relationship between the mental toughness levels and track performance of the athletes-students participated in the Faculty of Sports Sciences Special Talent Test (STT), and to examine the mental toughness according to the variables of gender, age, sports year and the department applied for. Material and Method: The research was designed in a descriptive (survey) and relational (correlational, causal comparison) research model. The study group of the research consisted of 494 athletes-students (nFemale=107; nMale=387) between the ages of 18-25, who participated in Kırşehir Ahi Evran University (KAUE) Faculty of Sport Sciences STT in the 2021-2022 academic year, determined according to the random sampling method. In the research, Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), personal information form and STT scores were used as data collection tools. Correlation analysis, independent samples t-test and one-way Anova were used in the analysis of the data obtained. Results: According to the results, a negative significant relationship was found between the participants' STT track scores and Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) confidence sub-dimension. In addition, it was observed that male athlete-students had significantly higher SMTQ total and sub-dimension average scores compared to female athletes-students. There was no significant relationship between the participants' total and sub-dimension mean scores of SMTQ and their ages. On the other hand, positive and significant correlations were found between the sports age of the athletes-students and the sub-dimensions of SMTQ total, confidence and constancy, but no significant relationship was found in the control sub-dimension. According to the department variable, a significant difference was found between the SMTQ total and constancy sub-dimension scores of the athletes-students who applied to the Department of Coaching Education and the Department of Sports Management, in favor of those who applied to the Department of Coaching Education, but no significant difference was found in the sub-dimensions of confidence and control. Conclusion: While their mental toughness (confidence) levels increase, their track performance improves. Besides, while mental toughness is not related to age, is related to sports age. In addition, the mental toughness levels of male participants are higher than female participants. Furthermore, the mental toughness levels of the athletes-students applied to the Department of Coaching Education are higher than those applied to the Department of Management. The results of the research are limited to the 2021-2022 academic year KAUE Faculty of Sport Sciences STT and the results can be generalized within this framework.

Keywords

• Athlete-student
• mental toughness
• special talent test
• track performance

Zihinsel Dayanıklılık ile Parkur Performansı Üzerine İlişkisel Bir Araştırma

Öz

Amaç: Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi Özel Yetenek Sınavına (ÖYS) katılan sporcu-öğrencilerin zihinsel dayanıklılık düzeyleri ile parkur performansları arasındaki ilişkiyi ortaya koymak ve zihinsel dayanıklılığı cinsiyet, yaş, spor yılı ve başvurulan bölüm değişkenlerine göre incelemek amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Materyal ve Metot: Araştırma betimsel (tarama) ve ilişkisel (korelasyonel, nedensel karşılaştırma) deseniyle gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu 2021-2022 eğitim-öğretim yılında Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi (KAEÜ) Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi ÖYS ye katılan, tesadüfi örnekleme yöntemine göre belirlenmiş 18-25 yaş aralığında 494 sporcu-öğrenci (nKadın=107; nErkek=387) oluşturmuştur. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak Sporda Zihinsel Dayanıklılık Envanteri (SZDE), kişisel bilgi formu ve ÖYS koordinasyon parkuru skorları kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen verilerin analizinde korelasyon analizi, bağımsız örneklemlerde t-testi ve tek yönlü varyans analizinden yararlanılmıştır. Bulgular: Analiz sonuçlarına göre katılımcıların ÖYS parkur skorlarıyla Sporda Zihinsel Dayanıklılık Envanteri (SZDE) güven alt boyutu arasında negatif yönlü anlamlı ilişki bulunmuş, SZDE total ve diğer alt boyutlar arasında anlamlı ilişki saptanmamıştır. Bunun yanında erkek sporcu-öğrencilerin kadın sporcu-öğrencilere nazaran SZDE total ve alt boyut ortalama puanlarının anlamlı düzeyde yüksek olduğu görülmüştür. Katılımcıların SZDE total ve alt boyut ortalama puanları ile yaşları arasında anlamlı ilişki saptanmamıştır. Bununla birlikte sporcu-öğrencilerin spor yaşıyla SZDE total, güven ve devamlılık alt boyutları arasında pozitif yönde anlamlı ilişkiler bulunmuş, kontrol alt boyutunda anlamlı ilişki saptanmamıştır. Bölüm değişkenine göre, Antrenörlük Eğitimi Bölümü ve Spor Yöneticiliği Bölümüne başvuran sporcu-öğrencilerin SZDE total ve devamlılık alt boyutu skorları arasında Antrenörlük Eğitimi Bölümüne başvuranların lehine anlamlı fark saptanmış, güven ve kontrol alt boyutlarında anlamlı fark saptanmamıştır. Sonuç: Zihinsel dayanıklılık (güven) düzeyleri artarken parkur performansları iyileşmektedir. Bunun yanında, zihinsel dayanıklılık yaş ile ilişkili değilken spor yaşıyla ilişkilidir. Ayrıca, erkek katılımcıların zihinsel dayanıklılık düzeyleri kadınlardan yüksektir. Bunlara ilaveten Antrenörlük Eğitimi Bölümüne başvuran sporcu-öğrencilerin zihinsel dayanıklılık düzeyleri Yöneticilik Bölümüne başvuranlardan yüksektir. Araştırma sonuçları 2021-2022 eğitim-öğretim yılı KAEÜ Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi ÖYS ile sınırlıdır ve elde edilen sonuçlar bu çerçevede genellenebilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Özel yetenek sınavı
• parkur performansı
• sporcu-öğrenci
• zihinsel dayanıklılık

Kaynakça

1. Altıntaş, A. ve Koruç, PB. (2016). Sporda Zihinsel Dayanıklılık Envanteri’nin psikometrik özelliklerinin incelenmesi (SZDE). Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 27(4), 163-171.
2. Anthony, DR., Gucciardi, DF. & Gordon, S. (2016). A meta-study of qualitative research on mental toughness development. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 9(1), 160-190.
3. Beckford, TS., Poudevigne, M., Irving, RR. & Golden, KD. (2016). Mental toughness and coping skills in male sprinters. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 11(3), 338-347.
4. Brewer, B. W. (Ed.). (2009). Handbook of sports medicine and science: sport psychology. USA: John Wiley & Sons.
5. Buhrow, C., Digmann, J. & Waldron, JJ. (2017). The relationship between sports specialization and mental toughness. International Journal of Exercise Science, 10(1), 44-52.
6. Butt, J., Weinberg, R. & Culp, B. (2010). Exploring mental toughness in NCAA athletes. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 3, 316-332.
7. Chen, MA. and Cheesman, DJ. (2013). Mental toughness of mixed martial arts athletes at different levels of competition. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 116(3), 905-917.
8. Clough, P., Earle, K. & Sewell, D. (2002). Mental toughness: The concept and its measurement. In I. Cockerill (Ed.), Solutions in Sport Psychology (pp. 32–45). London, England: Thomson.

9. Connaughton, D., Wadey, R., Hanton, S. & Jones, G. (2008). The development and maintenance of mental toughness: Perceptions of elite performers. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26, 83-95. Doi:10.1080/02640410701310958
10. Coulter, T., Mallett, C. & Singer, J. (2016). A subculture of mental toughness in an Australian Football League club. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 22, 98-113. Doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2015.06.007
11. Crust, L. and Azadi, K. (2010). Mental toughness and athletes' use of psychological strategies. European Journal of Sport Science, 10(1), 43-51.
12. Crust, L. (2007). Mental Toughness In Sport: A Review. International Journal Of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 5(3), 270-290.
13. Crust, L. (2008). A review and conceptual re-examination of mental toughness: Implications for future researchers. Personality and Individual Differences, 45, 576- 583.
14. Crust, L. (2009). The relationship between mental toughness and affect intensity. Personality and Individual Differences, 47(8), 959-963.
15. Crust, L. and Clough, PJ. (2011). Developing mental toughness: From research to practice. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, 2(1), 21-32.
16. Crust, L., Earle, K., Perry, J., Earle, F., Clough, A. & Clough, PJ. (2014). Mental toughness in higher education: Relationships with achievement and progression in first-year university sports students. Personality and Individual Differences, 69, 87- 91.
17. Elemırı, A. and Aly, A. (2014). Mental toughness and its relationship to the achievement level of the weightlifters in Egypt. Türk Spor ve Egzersiz Dergisi, 16(2), 63-69.
18. Findlay, LC. and Bowker, A. (2009). The link between competitive sport participation and self-concept in early adolescence: A consideration of gender and sport orientation. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38(1), 29-40.
19. Gerber, M., Kalak, N., Lemola, S., Clough, PJ., Pühse, U., Elliot, C. … (2012). Adolescents’ exercise and physical activity are associated with mental toughness. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 5(1), 35-42.
20. Gould, D., Dieffenbach, K. & Moffett, A. (2002). Psychological characteristics and their development in olympic champions. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 14(3), 172-204.
21. Gould, D., Hodge, K., Peterson, K. & Petlichkoff, L. (1987). Psychological foundations of coaching: Similarities and differences among intercollegiate wrestling coaches. The Sport Psychologist, 1, 293-308.
22. Gucciardi, D., Hanton, S., Gordon, S., Mallett, C. & Temby, P. (2015a). The concept of mental toughness: Tests of dimensionality, nomological network, and traitness. Journal of Personality, 83, 26-44. Doi:10.1111/jopy.12079
23. Gucciardi, D., Jackson, B., Hanton, S. & Reid, M. (2015b). Motivational correlates of mentally tough behaviours in tennis. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 18, 67-71. Doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2013.11.009
24. Gucciardi, DF., Gordon, S. & Dimmock, JA. (2009). Towards an understanding of mental toughness in Australian football. Journal of Applied and Sport Psychology, 307-323.
25. Guille´n, F. and Laborde, S. (2014). Higher-order structure of mental toughness and the analysis of latent mean differences between athletes from 34 disciplines and non-athletes. Personality and Individual Differences, 60, 30-35.
26. Güvendi, B., Türksoy, A., Güçlü, M. & Konter, E. (2018). Profesyonel güreşçilerin cesaret düzeyleri ve zihinsel dayanıklılıklarının incelenmesi. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences – IJSETS, 4(2), 70-78.
27. Hardy, L., Bell, J. & Beattie, S. (2014). A neuropsychological model of mentally tough behavior. Journal of Personality, 82, 69-81. Doi:10.1111/jopy.12034
28. Jones, G. (2002). What is this thing called mental toughness? An investigation of elite sport performers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 14(3), 205-218.
29. Jones, G., Hanton, S. & Connaughton, D. (2007). A framework of mental toughness in the world’s best performers. The Sport Psychologist, 21, 243-264.
30. Jones, MI. and Parker, JK. (2013). What is the size of the relationship between global mental toughness and youth experiences? Personality and Individual Differences, 54, 519-523.
31. Juan, MVT. and Lopez, AV. (2015). Mental toughness of scholar athletes. Researchers World, 6(3), 22.
32. Kalaycı Ş. (2010). SPSS uygulamalı çok değişkenli istatistik teknikleri. 5. Baskı. Ankara: Asil Yayın Dağıtım.
33. Kalkavan, A., Acet, M. & Çakır, G. (2017). Investigation of the mental endurance levels of the athletes participating in the table tennis championship of universities in turkey. International Journal of Sport Culture and Science, 5(4), 356-363.
34. Kalkavan, A., Özdilek, Ç. & Çakır, G. (2020). Dağ bisikletçilerinin zihinsel dayanıklılık düzeylerinin araştırılması. Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 22(2), 31-43.
35. Koç İ. (2021). Bireysel ve takım sporlarında zihinsel dayanıklılığın umutsuzluk ve başarı motivasyonu bakımından etkilerinin belirlenmesi. Doktora Tezi. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Kahramanmaraş.
36. Koç, İ. ve Gençay, ÖA. (2021). Badminton sporcularının zihinsel dayanıklılık düzeylerinin çeşitli değişkenlere göre incelenmesi. Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 15(1), 110-124.
37. Kuan, G. and Roy, J. (2007). Goal profiles, mental toughness and its influence on performance outcomes among Wushu athletes. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 6, 28-33.
38. Liew, GC., Kuan, G., Chin, NS. & Hashim, HA. (2019). Mental toughness in sport. German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research, 49(4), 381-394.
39. Mahoney, J., Ntoumanis, N., Mallett, C. & Gucciardi, D. (2014). The motivational antecedents of the development of mental toughness: A self-determination theory perspective. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7(1), 184-197.
40. Marchant, DC., Polman, RC., Clough, PJ., Jackson, JG., Levy, AR. & Nicholls, AR. (2009). Mental toughness: Managerial and age differences. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 24(5), 428-437.
41. McGeown, S., St Clair-Thompson, H. & Clough, P. (2016). The study of non-cognitive attributes in education: Proposing the mental toughness framework. Educational Review, 68, 96-113. doi:10.1080/00131911.2015.1008408
42. Newland, A., Newton, M., Finch, L., Harbke, CR. & Podlog, L. (2013). Moderating variables in the relationship between mental toughness and performance in basketball. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2(3), 184-192.
43. Nicholls, AR., Levy, AR., Polman, RC. & Crust, L. (2011). Mental toughness, coping self-efficacy, and coping effectiveness among athletes. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 42(6), 513-524.
44. Nicholls, AR., Polman, RC., Levy AR. & Backhouse SH. (2009). Mental toughness in sport: Achievement level, gender, age, experience, and sport type differences. Personality and Individual Differences, 47(1), 73-75.
45. Sheard, M. (2013). Mental Toughness: The Mindset Behind Sporting Achievement. Second Edition. Hove, East Sussex: Routledge.
46. Sheard, M., Golby, J. & van Wersch, A. (2009). Progress toward construct validation of the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 25, 186-193. doi:10.1027/1015-5759.25.3.186
47. Solomon, GB. (2015). Mental toughness among college athletes. Journal of Applied Sports Science, 5(3), 171-175.
48. Sporbf.ahievran (2021). Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi 2021-2022 Özel Yetenek Sınavı Kılavuzu. Erişim Tarihi: 24.12.2021, https://sporbf.ahievran.edu.tr/
49. Tabachnick, BG. and Fidell, LS. (2007). Using multivariate statistics. Allyn & Bacon/Pearson Education.
50. Tekkurşun-Demir, G. ve Türkeli, A. (2019). Spor bilimleri fakültesi öğrencilerinin egzersiz bağımlılığı ve zihinsel dayanıklılık düzeylerinin incelenmesi. Spor Bilimleri Araştırmaları Dergisi, 4(1), 10-24.
51. Weinberg, R., Freysinger, V. & Mellano, K. (2018). How can coaches build mental toughness? Views from sport psychologists. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, 9(1), 1-10.
52. Yarayan, YE., Yıldız, AB. & Gülşen, DBA. (2018). Elit düzeyde bireysel ve takım sporu yapan sporcuların zihinsel dayanıklılık düzeylerinin çeşitli değişkenlere göre incelenmesi. Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 11(57), 992-999.
53. Yardımcı, A., Sadık, R. & Kardaş , NT. (2017). Amerikan futbolu sporcularının yalnızlık düzeyleri ve sporda mental dayanıklılık düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki. Spor Bilimleri Araştırmaları Dergisi, 2(2), 79-90.